pilus /pi·lus/ (pi´lus) pl. pi´li [L.]
pilus
pilus [pi´lus] (L.)
1. a hair.pi´lial
2. one of the minute filamentous appendages of certain bacteria, associated with antigenic properties of the cell surface.pi´liate
pi´li cunicula´ti a condition characterized by burrowing hairs.
pi´li incarna´ti a condition characterized by ingrown hairs.
pi´li tor´ti a condition characterized by twisted hairs.
pi·lus (p  l s)n. pl. pi·li (-l  ) 1. A hair. 2. A fine filamentous appendage, somewhat analogous to the flagellum, that occurs on some bacteria. Also called fimbria. |
pilus
1 a hair or hairlike structure.
2 (in microbiology) a fine filamentous appendage found on certain bacteria and similar to flagellum except that it is shorter, straighter, and found in greater quantities in the organism. Pili consist solely of protein and are associated with antigenic properties of the cell surface.
pilus [pi´lus] (L.)
1. hair. adj., adj pi´lial.
2. one of the minute filamentous appendages of certain bacteria associated with antigenic properties and sex functions of the cell. Called also fimbria. adj., adj pi´liate.
pi´li cunicula´ti a condition characterized by burrowing hairs.
F pilus in bacterial genetics, a hollow tubular pilus possessed by (male) F+ cells, the carrier of the F plasmid (fertility plasmid). It forms a connection with a (female) F− cell in bacterial conjugation to allow the transfer of genetic material.
pi´li incarna´ti a condition characterized by ingrown hairs.
pi´li tor´ti a condition characterized by twisted hairs.
pilus
pl. pili [L.]
1. a hair.
2. fine, filamentous appendage found on the surface of many gram-negative bacteria, shorter, thinner and straighter than flagella. There are two kinds of pili: (a) a larger form that is hollow and found on male bacterial cells only; it is used in bacterial cell conjugation, and (b) a smaller form which is of major significance in adherence of bacterial cells to epithelial surfaces such as the intestinal mucosa or mammary gland epithelium. Antipilus antibody can provide protection against disease. Called also fimbria.
pilus cuniculatus
pl. pili cuniculati; burrowing hair.
pilus incarnatus
pl. pili incarnati; ingrown hair.
pilus lanei
wool fiber.
pilus tacti
tactile hairs about the lips, nostrils and eyes.
pilus tortus
pl. pili torti; twisted hair; see also pili torti.
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